Secondary battery charging method that shortens charging time

Abstract

A secondary battery charging method that shortens charging time includes a step for introducing a plurality of battery cells onto an activation tray and CC-charging the battery cells; and a step for connecting the plurality of battery cells in parallel. The charging method according to the present invention shortens the time typically required for CV-charging by connecting battery cells in parallel after CC-charging, thus having the effect of replacing CV-charging.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. An activation tray assembly in which a plurality of battery cells are mountable for a transfer and charging of the plurality of battery cells in a manufacturing process, the activation tray assembly comprising:
 an activation tray having an open top and configured to receive the plurality of battery cells mounted thereon, the activation tray having a first terminal plate embedded in a lower portion of the activation tray; and 
 a tray cover member corresponding to the activation tray, the tray cover member having a plurality of grooves configured to receive upper portions of the plurality of battery cells therein, the tray cover member having a second terminal plate embedded in the tray cover member, 
 wherein the tray cover member is movable relative to the activation tray, and 
 wherein the first and second terminal plates are configured to come into direct contact with first and second electrodes of the plurality of battery cells to connect the plurality of battery cells in parallel. 
 
     
     
       2. The activation tray assembly of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second terminal plates includes a charge/discharge tab. 
     
     
       3. The activation tray assembly of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second terminal plates is a metal plate. 
     
     
       4. A method for charging a plurality of battery cells, the method comprising:
 placing the plurality of battery cells into an activation tray, the activation tray having a first terminal plate embedded in the activation tray; 
 charging the battery cells with a constant current; and 
 connecting the plurality of battery cells in parallel after charging the battery cells with a constant current, 
 wherein the connecting of the plurality of battery cells in parallel includes covering the activation tray with a tray cover member, the tray cover member having a plurality of grooves to receive upper portions of the plurality of battery cells therein, the tray cover member having a second terminal plate embedded in the tray cover, the tray cover member being movable relative to the activation tray, and 
 wherein the connecting of the plurality of battery cells in parallel is performed without charging of the plurality of battery cells with a constant voltage while the plurality of battery cells are in the activation tray. 
 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4 , wherein the first terminal plate is configured to be directly contacted with first electrode terminals of the plurality of battery cells and the second terminal plate is configured to be directly contacted with second electrode terminals of the plurality of battery cells to connect the plurality of battery cells in parallel. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 4 , wherein a time of connecting the plurality of battery cells in parallel is equal to or less than  25  minutes. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6 , wherein the time of connecting the plurality of battery cells in parallel is equal to or larger than  9  minutes and is equal to or less than  25  minutes. 
     
     
       8. A method of activating a secondary battery comprises the method of  claim 4 .